Machine tool control mechanism



June 16, 1953 E. G. RoEHM 2,641,969

MACHINE Toor. CONTROL MECHANISM Filed oct. 1, 1949 3 sheets-sheet 1 lll-"13. E' 2^ June 16, 1953 E, G, ROEHM 2,641,969

MACHINE TOOL CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Oct. 1, 1949 y 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FZ y. g ERw/N @I ROL-HM BY l 5v. aamwfm June 16, 1953 E. G; ROEH'M 2,641,969

MACHINE TooL CONTROL MEHANISM Filed Oct. l, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ff@ m F 1' .E

IN VEN TOR.

ER WIN G, I? OEHM Bymmmyww /17' TUR/VHS Patented June 16,1953

MACHINE TOOL CONTROL MECHANISM Erwin G. Roehm, Norwood, Ohio,'assignor to The Cincinnati Milling Machine Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October'l, 1949, Serial No. 119,185

20 claims. (c1. :ao-13.5)

- tained mechanism which is equallyV adaptable for embodiment in new machines or for application as' an attachment to various forms of existing machine tools.

A further object of theinvention is the provision of a mechanism for automatic control of a pair of relatively movable or translatable elements for determination of their respective rates of relative movement.

An additional object of the-invention is the provision of a mechanism as aforesaid which will effect a substantially constant relative feed or cutting Amovement between a tool and work piece irrespective of the curve being followed or relative directional movement of the parts.

A furtherV object of the invention is the provision inV 'connection with. a tracer controlled actuating mechanism for a machine tool suitable for performance of contouring or profiling operations, of means responsive to changes in operating or actuating pressure conditions of the machine for effecting variations in the relative rates of movement of the parts to insure most accurate reproduction of the controlling template and additionally to prevent damage to either work, cutter, or tracer control under fluctuating operating conditions.

An additional object of the present invention is the provision in connection with a plurality of actuating means for a machine tool slide, such as positive mechanical, hand control, and automatic control therefor, of automatic safety means for rendering the several actuators for the slide subordinate to the automatic tracer control means to prevent damage to the machine or undue stock removal from the work by the tool.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of automatic safety device means for limiting potential utilization of rapid traverse mechanism for relative shifting of tool and work and additionally of safety means for stopping the power actuating of the machine on koverdeflection of the automatic tracer control mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, and it is to oe understood that any modifications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention. s

Throughout the several views of the drawings similar reference characters are employed to denote the same or similar parts.

Figure l represents a fragmentary front elevation of a boring mill indicating the application of the present invention thereto.

Figures 2 and 3 are diagrammatic views jointly illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4' is a fragmentary section on line 4--4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the coupling of the safety switch to the tracer mechanism.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of an alternatively employable control circuit and its valving.

Figures 7 and 8 are similar diagrammatic views illustrating other alternatively employable control circuits and valving.

To facilitate an understanding of the present invention the same has been illustrated as applied to a conventional type of vertical boring mill.. As

illustrated, this mill includes the base or bodyy portion IIJ having rising therefrom the columns II and I2 connected at their upper ends by the head I3 and provided with ways as at I4 and I5. vertically movable on these ways is the rail I6 which is, in turn, provided with ways I'I guiding transverse movement ofthe saddle 8. Vertically movable on the saddle or cross slide I8 is a second slide or ram head I9 carrying a cutter 2B.

As is conventional in machines of this type, there is provided a suitable motor drive mechanism 2l, while included in the power transmission train from the motor is the shaft 22 suitably coupled with the conventional feed change mechanisms located in the box 23 secured on the end of the rail I6. Levers 2-4 serve to control selection of rate and direction of operation of the cross feed screw feed 25 for the saddle I8 and the spline shaft 26 for determining vertical movement of the ram head I9. The bed also supports the rotary table 2 to support and rotate the Work piece suchfas Z8. Additionally, there is shown asmounted on the column I5 the side head 29 provided with a cross slide 30, the operation of theseY parts being ,controlled by transmission mechanism in the, gear box 13|.

As the machine above referred to is of standard conventional commercial type, reference has been made only to its basic structural features as its particular details in themselves form no part of the present invention. It is to be understood that the present inventive subject matter may be applied not only to the particular machine shown, but to various types of existing commercial machine tools.

In Figure 1 there has been indicated as secured tothe bed or base of the machine a hydrauiic v power unit 32 coupled by suitable hose or other stance is shown mounted upon rail I6 and hasV Y,

a projecting contact member or tracer finger 31 to engage the pattern 38 mounted on bracket 39 which is, in turn, carried by and movable with the ram head i9. The details of the hydraulic control mechanism and their intended relationship to the parts of the particular maichine tool to be controlled thereby will be evident by reference to Figures 2 and 3.

As there indicated, the screw 25 for eiiecting the horizontal or cross movement of the slide Von rail i3 has a portion 40 extending through the transmission boxes 23 and 35. Splined on this extending portion 43 is a double face clutch `4i selectively engageable with either gear 42 or either the clutch face of gear 42 or of gear 43 to determine the nature of the power drive to screw 25.

This shifter may be operated manually by the shift lever 50. It is, however, additionally provided with a piston portion fitting into the hydraulic cylinder or chamber 5I so that introduction of uid pressure into the chamber through conduit H9 may serve automatically to move the shifter to disconnect the mechanical power drive through pinion 44 and gear 42 to fscrew and positively to couple clutch 4i with gear 43 for hydraulic actuation of the screw.

The hydraulic actuating medium for operation -of the several elements of the machine is contracer tip 53. The specific structural details of one form of tracer finger for control of axial movement of a tracer valve in accordance with tilting or axial deiiections of the tracer finger are illustrated and described, for example, in Boehm and Campbell Patent 2,089,099, or Campbell Patent 2,039,294, it being understood the par- Y ticular type of tracer utilized, however, may be tained in a tank or sump of hydraulic unit 32 g from which it is delivered by a suitable pump 53 into the high pressure conduit 33, the pump 53 being driven either from the main motor 2l or byra supplemental electric motor 21a. For determination of the volume or rate of flow of the pressure medium through conduit 33 there is provided the adjustable rate valve 54', while disposed intermedi'a-te pump 53 and rate Valve 54 is a branch conduit 55 extending through the adjustable relief valve 53 to discharge into the sump or tank 32. The setting of the valve 53 determines the available pressure in the line '33 and provides for discharge therefrom VofA any excess output of the pump 53 over the utilizable quantity transmitted through rate valve 54.

The tracer housing section 33, as illustrated in Figure 2, is provided with the inlet ports or grooves 51, 53 and 53 to which conduit 33 is directly coupled. Slidably mountedwithin thehousing is the tracer valve member urged toward the left by spring 3! and provided at its left hand end with the cone seat 32 receiving ball 33 whose opposite face is fitted within the cone seat 34 of head on theinner or right hand end of the tracer finger 31. This finger has intermediately secured thereon a ball or fulcrum 36 seated in the tracer shell or extension E1 which has at its outer e-nd suicient clearance to permit of rocking movement of the tracer 31 about the ball as a fulcrum while the shape of the seat is such as to permit longitudinal movement of the tracer finger upon terminal pressure against the varied in accordance with present known and accepted practices. As is customary in tracer mechanisms of this type, the valve 60 has a spool portion 53 preferably slightly underlapped as respects the pressure groove 51 when the spool is in an intermediate position. This permits of potential iiow from groove 51 to: the chambers formed by the cannelures or grooves 10 and 1| of the valve so that pressure is maintained in both of these grooves, but the relative pressuresmay be varied by any slight axial movement of the valve to create a pressure differential in they output conduits 12 and 13. The valve 30 is provided with tlie'additional spool portions 14 and 15 so related to spool 53 and to the outlet -or reservoir connection portings 1S and 11 as inversely simultaneously to vary the resista-nce to discharge through one or the other of ports as respects the variation to resistance in flow into the associate valve groove and thus build up the pressure and vpotential ow inA either line 12 or 13 while decreasing the resistance to discharge from the other of said lines. The discharge control conduits 1E and 11 arel connected to the low pressure or reservoir return conduit 34 -so that movement of the valve 63 controls flow into and through the valve housing to one of the conduits 12 or 13 and at the same time the iiow from the other thereof back to reservoir.

Tracer control of motors 47 and 100 In the embodiment of the invention illustrated the tracer mechanism and circuits are interdependent and jointly react upon and control both the motor 41 for control of movement of a first slide such as the traversing saddle i8 and also motor |33 controlling the vertical movement of the ram head I9. It is contemplated, however, in the utilization of the present invention that at any particular time and in accordance with selective adjustment of certain of the elements that one of these motors shall be bidirectionally controlled or in other words automatically reversible to effect a back and forth or toward and from movement of the controlled slide while the other slide shall be unidirectional in operation and the control exerted thereon will be with .respect only to its rate of movement in the selected direction or to a discontinuance of its movement in auch direction. To facilitate an understanding of the basic principles of the invention, the several control valve mechanisms, clutch Shifters and the like, have therefore been illustrated in the drawings as positioned so that the tracer valve structure just described will automatically control both the rate and direction of actuation oi motor 41 and thus of movement of the saddle or slide i8 while controlling rate only of motor lili] and ram i9, this latter unidirectional movement being ordinarily referred to as a traversing movement.

Disposed in the circuit is a selec-tor valve 13 contained within a sleeve or bushing 1e. A suitable shift lever 89 is coupled with the valve to position the same in a manner to condition the circuit for tracer directional control of either motor 41 or 30. In Figure 2 this valve is shown as posi'- tioned to condition the circuit for directional control of motor 41 or in the left hand position. As so located, groove 8| couples conduit 12 with conduit 82 While groove 83 couples conduit i3 With vconduit 84. These conduits, in turn, extend to the sleeve or bushing 85 ofthe main control valve 86 for motor 41. 'This valve is villustrated in a position of intermediate adjustment to the left, Which adjustment is effected by movement of the control lever S1 in a clockwise direction. It will be noted that there have been indicated fve pctential positionings of the `control lever 31 for eifecting different circuit connections by Way of the valve 86. Y

These are respectively the position 98 for rapid traverse movement to the left, 89 for feeding movement to the left, and 99 for a disconnection of all hydraulic actuating medium as respects the motor 41 or a stop position. Additionally, there is the position 9| in Which the lever 81 and valve are shown positioned for effecting feed to the right and position 92 foreifecting a rapid right hand movement of the saddle 'or slide i8. As shown, groove 93 of valve 85 is aligned with conduit 82 and through interdrilled portas indicated at 94 communicates with groove 25, and thus hydraulicallyconnects the conduit 82 with conduit 96. At the same time, branch conduit 84a from conduit 84 is 'coupled by way of valve groove 91, interdrilling 9 3 and groove 99to conduit |09a. Conduits 96 and |9611 lterminate at suitable portings in thevalve sleeve or bushing |0| for cooperation With selector valve |22 which is slidable Within the sleeve or bushing lill. In

its left hand position, this valve selects tracer f f control for the motor 41 andin its righthand position disconnects the tracer control and connects the motor for servo-control. These positions of the valve are manually determinable a by the valve shifting lever |93.

When the valve is in its left hand position, as shown in Figure 2, groove |94 couples 12 by way vfinger is out of or substantially out of contact With the pattern. As the tracer finger contacts the pattern it is very desirable that further operation of the machine be entirely under tracer control and either direct mechanical operation of the slide as throughdrive 45 or servo or hand hydraulic actuation thereof prevented. For accomplishment of vthis result there is coupled into conduit 12 a branch control conduit |98 having the branches |08a, |0817, |980, |9803, |8e, and |9812 Pressure in conduit |98a reacts in cylinlder |09 to move plunger ||0 into the blocking position shown in Figure 2, while pressure in conduit Ilib correspondinglyV reacts in cylinder against blocking the plunger l I2.

When plungers ||ll and ||2 are in the inward position shown in Figure 2 they limit the axial or longitudinal shifting of valve 86 to its three central positions, namely stop, feed left, or feed right. and prevent the extreme movement of the valve necessary for either right or left hydraulic rapid traverse of the saddle. The spring loaded detent of 82 and 96 to motor conduit |65, While at the same time the valve groove |96 connects conduit 13 by Way of 84, 84a, and |99 to motor conduit In this manner a closed circuit is provided extending from-tracer valve groove 19 to one gear 43 and clutch 4l the feed screw 25 in a direc- -tion to move the slide .or saddle to the right.

Deflection of the tracer finger 3'! by engagement with the pattern 33 Will reduce the rate of flow of pressure fluid, and thus actuation of the motor until the valve spool 69 is `shifted to the hydraulic neutral or substantially central position with respect to groove 51 when the balanced pressure reactions in conduits 05 and 91 will stop operation of motor 41. Additional deection ofthe tracer will effect a further movement of valve spool 19 toward the right so that the pressure medium will now ow into 12 and thus, through the connections described, into conduit |95, re versing the direction of operation of motor 41 and thus of screw 25 and saddle |8.

It will be noted that when the tracer is unde-r.

ilected, Vconduit 12 is coupled with reservoir, this being the condition existing when the tracer 3 reacts on segment |4 for retaining shift lever 91 in its several adjustedrpositions. In a corresponding manner, pressure in the branch conduits |980 and |0803 moves inward by the plungers ||5 and ||6, limiting axial movement in either direction of the control valve ||1 of a character gen-- erally similar in function to the' valve 86 as will behereinafter described.

As respects the particularoperation of the machine primarily illustrated in Figure 2,' it will be noted that the branch conduit |08e is coupled '59 and thus the clutch in this coupled relationship.

At the same time pressure will also be introduced kinto conduit |989, reacting in cylinder |22 against the end of valve |02, `insuring that this valve takes up the position illustrated in Figure 2,

blanking olf the direct pressure conduit |23 and the servo-control conduits |24 and |25 as respects the conduits |95, |91, and |19.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the tracer valve mechanism when the tracer is undeflected and valve 18 is in the tracer horizontal position Will supply vactuating medium to motor 41, causing a movement of the tool toward the Work in the relationship ofthe parts shown in Figure 1, if the valving is also all positioned as indicated in Figure 2. At this time, however, there is no appreciable or effective pressure in the conduit 12 so that the valve elements, such as 85, |92, and shifter 4|, are free for manual adjustment and control. For example, if lever |93 under these conditions is moved in a counterclockwise direction, shifting valve |92 to the right, conduits 96 and |99 will be disconnected from conduits |95 and Ill'! which will then be respectively connected with conduits |25 and |24 extending to the servo-control valve bushing |25. Centrally coupled to this bushing .is the direct pressure line |21. Contained Withinthe bushing vis the slidable servo-controlvalve 28 having cannelures |29 and |30 respectively, coupling pressure to'conduit |24 on right hand movement of the valve and to |25 on left hand movement of the valve and alternatively couplihg the opposite conduit to the general low pressure Aor reservoir conduit |3|. VA suit-V able valve shifting means, such as the bracket |32, connects this valve with shifter groove |33 of shaft 34 provided with thehand Wheel |35. This shaft is journaled on the control box 35 as in anti-friction bearings |36 for limited axial movement and has a threaded portion |31 tting into nut |38 having the external gear portion |39 meshing with gear |45 on shaft |4|. Shaft |4| is synchronously driven by screw 25 through bevel gears |42, and |43, the llatter being received on screw 25 so that the gear |43 rotates in timed relation to the rotation of the screw. Shaft |4| is further provided with the indicating dialr |44 for indicating the amount of adjustment of the screw and thus of the translatable saddle.

The operation of this mechanism will be readily apparent in that it will be seen that rotation-of the hand wheel |35 in one direction or the other will cause a forward or back axial movement o1 shaft |34 and impart corresponding sliding move ment to valve |28, admitting actuating pressure in one direction or the other to the hydraulic motor 51 for effecting rotation of screw 25. At the same time the gearing |42, |43, and |40 will effect a feed back rotation of nut 38 tending constantly to restore valve |23 to its neutral position. In this manner a most accurate servo-control adjustment may be imparted to the translatable saddle by the slight eiiort required to rotate hand wheel This movement, of course, may be continued until such time as the tracer nger is deflected to cause introduction of actuating pressure by way of conduit 12 into cylinder |22 when valve |02 will be moved to the left, disconnecting conduits |24 and |25 from conduits |55||1 to the hydraulic motor 41, gears |42 and |43, however, continuing to rotate so that the dial |46 still indicates the adjustment of the parts.

To prevent jamming of the servo-mechanism under these conditions a yoke or clevis member |45 is splined or secured on the shaft |34 for rotation therewith. This member cooperates with the centralizing springs |45 and |45 carried by the nut |38 so that the shaft rotates with the nut but without effecting controlling displacement of the shifter |32 and servo |25 while permitting all necessary relative rotation of the shaft and nut for servo-control purposes when valve |32 is in the right hand position and the circuit so conditioned.

Branching from conduit 33 intermediate rate valve 54 and the connection of conduit 51 to the tracer bushing or housing' 35 is a pressure conduit |41? ported into the housing at 58. The valve Bil has a cannelure as at |43 for coupling .58 through the tracer housing to the traverse conduit |50. The relative spacings of 53 vand |59 and length of groove or cannelure |49 is such that when valve 60 is in a position of maximum deiiection to the left, as shown in Figure 2, the spool |5| blocks off ow into conduit |50 while when the tracer is in a position of substantially maximum angular deflection, the resultant shifting of valve' |55 to the right causes spool 15 to block inlet porting 58. In intermediate positions of valve Gil, however, the length of the cannelure is such that a variable throttle is provided by the bounding spools 15 and |5| as respects the flow from |41 to |50, maximum flow taking place when the spool 59 is in its hydraulically neutral position such that the established pressure conditions lock motor 41 against rotative movement.

It will thus be evident that axial shifting of is decreased.

spool .50 as determined by deection of the 'tracer nger 31 inversely varies the potential i ow through the branch conduits 51 and |41, slowing down the traverse flow as the toward or from movement increases and speeding up the traverse as the rate of toward or from movement inasmuch as there is a constant rate or volume of ow through the rate valve 54' of the actuating fluid', which is thus distributed between conduits 51 and |41, the rate of relative movement of work and cutter or the cut speed will be substantially constant irrespective of the particular direction of effected relative movement.

As has been described, the tracing selector valve 18 is shown 'in Figure 2 in its left hand position coupling the tracer directional control circuit with motor 41. Conduit |50 discharges through porting inthe valve bushing 15J to the groove or cannelure |5| at the right hand end of valve 18, and in the position of the valve illustrated this couples |56 with conduit |52 having the branches |52 and |521) as shownin Figlure 3 ported at suitable longitudinally spaced positions into the bushing |53 for valve ||1. The general structure and circuit coupling of valve ||1 is similar to that previously described in connection with valve 85. It is controlled by the manually operable shift lever |54 having the iive positions |55 for rapid downward movement, |51 for downward feed, |58 for a stop position, |59 for upward feeding and |55 for upward rapid traverse.

A detent |6| cooperating with segment |52 serves to lock the lever and thus the valve in any manually selected position. As has been previously mentioned, the pressure operated centralizing plungers ||5 and H5 are hydraulically operated by pressure in the branch conduits ||l8c and |5811 hydraulically to kick the valve out of rapid traverse or prevent its manual movement into rapid traverse position when deection of the tracer effects pressure control conditions in the tracer conduit 12. As this valve is intended for selection purposes in connection with the motor ISB operating the shaft 26 for vertical movements of head or ram |19, the lever has been indicated as occupying a generally horizontalV position from which it may be moved upwardly for upward movements and downwardly for downward movements to directionally determine movements of the head. As shown, it is in the feed down position which places cannelure or groove |63 in alignment with the bushing porting for conduit |5251. from whence the pressure fluid will iiow from valve passage |63 to the distributing cannelure or grooveY |64 and thence through the bushing porting of conduit |55 to the bushing |66 of selector valve |61. This valve corresponds ,in structure and function to the valve |2 shown at the lower portion of Figure 2 in that it is axially movable manually by selecting lever |68 to condition the circuit for either manual servocontrol, or tracing control of motor |05. The bushing |65 provides the pressure chamber or cylinder |69 receiving the end of the valve which thus acts as a piston. This cylinder IES is connected by conduit |38h with the general pres-- sure line 12 so that on deflection of the tracer the iiuid under pressure will be introduced into the chamber moving the valve automatically to the left so that the motor circuit is conditioned for tracer control. In this position, as illustrated, conduit |55 is coupled through the cannelure groove of the valve to motor conduitl |1| extending to one side of the motor |88. The opposite side of the motor is coupled through conduit |12, groove |13 in valve |61, conduit |14, groove |15, channel |16 and groove |11 of valve ||1 to branch |18b of conduit |18. This conduit |18 extends into the bushing 19 of valve 18.and in the position of the parts indicated is coupled by cannelure orf groove |19 to the reservoir discharge conduit |85.

It will thus be seen that whatever proportion of fluid passing through rate valve 54 is transmitted by the general tracer valve structure into conduit |58 will effect rotation of the motor |88 at a rate dependent on the proportion of pressure iluid so transmitted. Under general operating conditions it has been found, particularly with employment of small displacement rotary motors, such as here indicated, which greatly reduce the compressibilit'y` of oil variations existing'in connection with actuating cylinders of large volumetric capacity', that the circuit de- :scribed is sufficiently. accurate in its responsive Additional tratarse control l For maximum eciency under any and, all operating conditions, there has been provided an additional control for the rate of operation of the traversing motor |90,4 or alternatively of the motor 41 when that motor, as hereinafter described, is utilized for traverse control. This mechanism in the form indicated in Figure 2 includes a valve block unit or assembly |8| having a pair of valve chambers |82 and |83 intercon-r nected as bythe port or passage |84. The conduit |88 isported through the valve block to dis-v charge into the valve chamber |82 while a discharge or reservoir conduit |85 is-ported through the valve block |8| in communication with chamber |83. Slidably mounted within the chamber |82 is a control Valve |86 having a taper portion |81 effective variablyto throttle the ow through |89A into the chamber and having the groove |88 for coupling this throttled ow with conduit |84. At a lower portion the valve is provided with a blocking spool |89 and a projecting ,stem pro viding a piston portion |88 movable in the chamber ISI which is coupled by conduit |59a with the traverse flow conduitl 58 previously described. A drain conduit |92 intervenes spool |89 and chamber |9| to prevent entrapment or building Y up of fluid pressure which will react against the underside of spool |89. A pressure control conduit |88lc extends from the tracer line or conduit 12 through porting in the valve block I8! to the upper end of the-valve cylinder or chamber |82 so that introduced pressure will react against the upper end of valve 85. Disposed within the valve chamber |83 is a valve |92 similar to the valve 86 lhaving an upper piston portion |93, the inter-y mediate throttle portion |94 ei'ective as respects` the discharge conduit |85 and the groove |98 to provide communication between the transverse port or conduit |84 in the valve block and said discharge conduit |85. This ,valve similarly'has the intermediateor blocking spool portion |95 andrterminal Vstem |96 extendingrinto the reduced diameter pressure chamber |91 coupled by conduit |581) with the traverse pressure transmitting conduit |50.

1U balancing valves in which in each instance the piston area subject to the pressure existing in line 12 on deection of the tracer is greater than the area subject to pressure in the traverse flow division conduit |50, Ywhile the nature of the grooves |88 and |96 are such as to establish a balanced condition so that no movement of the valves will be effected by the varying values of pressure in the traverse return conduit 88. Consequently, as pressure in 12 builds up, due either to valve opening or `work or other resistances to movement of the controlled slide, it will move valve |88 into flow throttling or shut-olf position. Correspondingly, the pressure increase in 13 will correspondingly react against valve |92', and it` sures'n lines i2 and 13 that both valves |86 and |92 will be moved into position relieving the back pressure in line |88 to permit operation of the traverse motor;

Springs 285 urge the valve |86 and the valve |92 upward, supplementing the pressure reactionagainst the lower piston portion of the valves while resistances 281 in the pressure conduit to the upper piston of each valve dampens any possible oscillation effects in the system.

AIt will, of course, be evident that the varying positionings of the tracer controlled valve 60 tend to` divide or distribute the rate valve determined volume of pressure uid between the toward and from and traversing motors in a manner that as the tracer valve is deflected either positive or negative it tends to cut down the flow to the traverse motor. In other words, if the tracer should meet an abrupt rise the overdeection of the tracer will slow down the traverse so that the major percentage of the oil goes to the tracer controlled slide.

Alternatively, as the tracer moves off of an eminence and towards a cavity in the pattern, or is free from engagement with the pattern, the under or negative deflection of the tracer again shuts down traverse oil. This, however, has its limitations in a general purpose machine as the tracer control of toward and from movement is responsive to extremely slight movements wherekas the traverse communication underlap must provide Asufliciently large ports to pass without restriction the quantity of oil necessary for maximum feed rate, and is not therefore equally eiTective when slower feed rates are employed in theV line. Y

' In the particular position of the several elements illustrated in Figure 1 it will be noted that the valve 68 with the tracer vin its maximum negative or undeected position, tends to vdirect practically all of the available pressure iluid through conduit 13 for operation of motor 41 and at the same time creates a relatively high pressure in chamber |83 reacting to force valve |92 downward as shown, closing off discharge through conduit against any pressure supplied through conduit |50b to chamber |91. At

the same time the back pressure in conduit 12` will normally be sufficient to maintain valve |86 in its depressed or return throttling position so that there will be no traverse or vertical movement effected of the head I9 and the saddle |8 and cutter 20 will be moved in a direction toward the interior face of the work W to be formed by the tool 20.

On the other hand, as the tracer finger 31 is deected by contact with the template 38 the spool 16 will be shifted to a centralized position, reducing the pressure reactions in 12 and 13 while diverting more pressure through groove |49 into E50, thus building up the pressure in conduits |5911 and |5019 raising the valves |86 and |93 to relieve the back pressure against the traverse motor which is controllingv the vertical movement of head I9 to cause same to feed the cutter downwardly over the face of the work. However, should subsequent deflection of the tracer or resistance to the movement of the cutter into the work result in an increase in the pressure in conduit 13 reacting to operate the motor to feed the cutter into the work, this pressure reacting in chamber |83 will depress valve |93 to slow down the traverse rate until the tool has cut itself sufficiently free to relieve the abnormal pressure resistance. In this manner the traverse or feed rate is automatically controlled even though the movement of the tracer valve 60 is practically negligible and insufficient, in any event, of itself to effect the desired throttling of the input to the traverse movement. It will thus be seen that a greater accuracy and sensitivity of control responsive not only to physical movements of the tracer valve mechanism but also to relative pressure conditions has been provided.

Safety stop mechanism As an additional safety feature to prevent damage to work, cutter, or machine in the event of threatened undue overdeflection of the tracer iinger as by meeting a straight wall or other obstruction wherein relative rates or direction of operation of the slides will not properly free the same, there has been provided an additional safety mechanism. This comprises the auxiliary valve chamber 20| formed in the tracer housing 36 and preferably axially aligned with the tracer valve 60. Slidable within this chamber is the valve 202 having the central groove 203 and urged in a left hand direction as illustrated by the relatively heavy spring 204. The terminal portion of the valve 202 forms an abutment for the lighter tracer valve spring 6| extending axially within which is the pin or abutment 205 normally terminally spaced from the end of valve member 60. Overdeiiection of the tracer nger 31, however, will cause sufficient axial movement of the valve 60 so that it will engage and mechanically shift pin 205 and thus valve 202 to the right. This movement to the right will align groove 203 with the inlet port 59 from the main pressure conduit 33, serving in this position to c ouplev 33 with the conduit 206 extending to the safety pressure switch unit 201 of conventional type shown in Figure into which extend the electrical leads 208 and 209 of the circuit for the actuating motors, such as 2| and 54, for the machine. Pressure actuation of the switch will interrupt the motor circuits so that the entire actuating power will be shut off and the machine stopped on such mechanical overdeection of the tracer finger. In Figure 6 there has been shown a slight modication of the back pressure balancing valvev control mechanism previously described in that use is made of but a single valve 2I0 slidable in the bushing 2| This valve, like the valves |86 and |92 previously described, has the enlarged piston portion 2|2 at one end, the intermediate tapered or throttling shoulder 2 I3, blocking spool 2 |4 and the reduced terminal piston portion 2I5 preponderance of pressure in either 13 or |0811.`

will react on the check valves 2 3 to shut off the low pressure line while opening to permit ow from the higher pressure line into conduit 2| 9 where it will react on the piston 2 l2 moving the same downward into position to throttle or shut off the traverse pressure discharge conduit by way of the groove 22| to reservoir or return conduit |35. To prevent creation of apressure lock against the valve 2 0 there is preferably provided in line 2|9 a pressure bleeder 222 coupled with the return conduit |85. Y It will be understood that the pressure drop through the bleeder is very gradual and not suicient to interfere with the necessary positive reaction of pressure in conduit 219 against valve 2|0.

A further modification of the invention is illustrated in Figure 7 in which the tracer valve throttling of iiow from |41 into |50 is eliminated and these two conduits are directly connected. In this instance traverse control is made dependent entirely upon the operation of the back pressure control valve or control valves which may be eitherof the single valve type shown in Figures. 6 and 8 or the double Valve type shown in Figures 2 and 7. In this form of the invention the conduit |50 is coupled as at |50a and |502) to the Valve block I8| for reaction against the lower end of the valves |86 :and |93 while the conduits |08h and 13 are coupled to react against the upper ends of these valves. In this form the back pressure line |80 is coupled to the valve block for control by the respective Valves |86 and |93 as previously described, the remainder of the circuit being as illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 8 shows a back pressure throttling control similar in general structure and operation to that described in connection with Figure 6, making use of a throttling valve |86a corresponding in` structure to the valve |86 of Figure 2. This valve is' slidable in the valve block |8|a and has the enlarged piston portion at its upper end, the tapered or bevelled throttling shoulder |8161 controlling the flow from channel |8011 into the chamber formed by the piston groove |3811, While extending from the block is the outlet conduit |a.. The blocking spool |89a below which is the reservoir drain connection |92a prevents flow of. the pressure uid into the reduced diameter cylinder .at the lower portion of the valve bushing or block in which moves the piston |9011. As in the forms previously described, traverse pressure in the conduit |50 reacts in the cylinder chamber |9|a against piston |90a, tending to raise the valve variable to open the throttle for the traverse return flow as effected by the portion |81a of the valve. f

Coupledwith the upperv chamber |'82a is a cony .13 y duit 2|9a having the branches 229 and'2301p`orted into the valve block 225, having the chamber 23| in which is reciprocable the valve 226 having the tapered end portions 221 and 228.A Conduit |08h is coupled to one end of the chamber 23| while conduit 13 is coupled to the opposite end. By reference to Figure 8it will be noted-that the length of the central or non-tapered portion of the valve member 226 is preferably slightly less than the outer limits of the portings of 229 and 230 into chamber 23| `so that a slight underlapv isprovided. Asia result, when the member 225 is'in hydraulically neutral or central position there will be a pressure .reaction from 13 into 230-and a similar pressure reaction from |0871. into 229, maintaining pressure in chamber |82a. This condition corresponds to the hydraulically neutral position of the spool 69 on the tracer valve.. v .When the tracer valve is displaced vnegatively *I4 84 as respects the conduits to motor 41,` or by closing of the rate valve 54 or stoppage of hydraulic pump driving motor 2 Ia, use may be made of the mechanical driving mechanism in the normal manner, this mechanical driving action being determined by .positioning of the mechanical or hydraulic selector lever 50. On the other hand, if the hydraulic power is turned on, the machine may still be operated either mechanically or under -servo-control, mechanically if the Valve |02 is in an intermediate or tracer position and the shifter clutch 4| engaged so long as the tracer finger 31 is undeflected, or under servo-control if the valve |02 is in its right hand position and irrespective of the position of the tracing cycle directional control valve 86. However, in this setting of thevalves, when the tracer is deflected,

v K introducing pressure through 12-|08, valve |02 from. its hydraulicallyy neutral position,` riseof j pressurein 13 will react on valve.,226'closing;oi pressure flow `from |081c into .229 so that :pressure,- may build upthrough. 230--2I9a in|82a,

urging. the valve Ia toward .extreme traverse return throttling position. .1'

' Correspondingly, an increase of pressure in through |50a on the piston I 90a will predominate and raise valve |86a, reducing its throttling effect to relieve the back pressure in the traverse return conduit |80a, permitting the desired speeding up of the traverse motor. It will .thusbe seen that in this form, as in the forms previously described, there are interdependent controls forY the ratesof operation of the toward and from and the traverse motorsof such character that a demand for an increase toward or from rate of movement will hydraulically react on the control of the traverse exhaust, thus slowing-down the traverse rate. At the same time decrease' in demand of pressure fluid for toward or from movement will hydraulically react to effect a speeding up of the traverse motor.

-As` has been described in detail, when the mechanism aforesaid has been mounted upon a boring, milling, or other machine tool having a pair of translatable slides it serves to take the place of or alternatively to supplement the usual mechanical driving means for said slides and may be varyingly conditioned according to the particular nature of relative movements desired; In the arrangement or the parts indicatedin Figures 2 and 3 the tracer is in its undeected or maximum negative position and the tracer valve itself correspondingly located.

-With the tracer circuit selecting Valve 18 in its left hand position, the tracer then controls f both rate and direction of the hydraulic motor 41 for what is usually termed the tracing movement as distinguished from unidirectional'traverse movement effectable by the motor |00. However, when the parts are so positioned, if the hydraulic actuating medium is shut 01T, either by placing the rate and direction valve in its intermediate or stop position.' blocking ow in the tracer controlled Ahydraulic conduits 82 and is power shifted to the left by the pressure in Iiig which, in turn, coupling I 08e with I I0 moves clutch 4| to disconnect thevmechanical drive. At the same. time this movement blocks power line |23 as'respects ||9, rendering the servo inelective. f

It is further to be noted that when the tracer nger is out of engagement with the pattern, lever 81 may be placed in either an extreme left hand or right hand position directly coupling pressure conduit 33a with 96-|05 or |00-I01 to eiect rapid rotation of the hydraulic motor 41 in one direction or the` other until tracer deflection creates pressure in 'I2- |08 automatically to shift valvei from the rapid to feed position. The feeding bias of the tracer, that is, the movement effected during its negative positioning, will be either toward the right or toward the left in accordance with the one position or the other of valve 56 which eiects a reversal or interchange coupling between the conduits 82-85 from the respective tracer valve grooves '|0--1|, and the conduits 96--100 to motor 51. It will be understood that the controls for the circuit extending to the motor |00 are, as previously described, substantially duplicates of those for the motor 41 and effect corresponding resultant connections. In the initial phase I have described motor |00 as being utilized as a traversing motor, while motor 41 was reversibly employed for the back and forth movement. When it is desired to interchange the functions of these two motors this is effected by a translationof the valve 18 from the left hand position shown to a right hand position. This places the motor |00 controlling vertical movement under reversible control of the tracer while the motor 41 becomes the traversing motor effective in either a right or left hand feeding direction dependent upon the position of lever 81 and valve 66. When the valve 18 is shifted to its right hand position it will be be evidentv that the tracer conduit 12 is then coupled With conduit |18 and tracer conduit 13 with conduit |52 so that in the undeilected position of the tracer the hydraulic actuating medium will pass through conduit |52 and, in the position of valve |53 shown inV Figure 3, through groove4 |63 and conduits |65 and |1| to operate motor |00 for effecting a downward movement of the tool carrying ram or head which Will be stopped or reversed according to deflection of the tracer arm 31. In other words, this result is attained merely by moving the tracing motor selector valve without shifting of valve ||1. At the same time the motor |00 return conduit |12 Will be coupled through |14, |181) and |18 with star-,eco

`1'5 conduit l2 leading into the'tra'cer valve groove 10.

This positioning of the motor selector valve la concomitantly coupies conduit 50 through Stia, 9E, 35o, 10mm? to motor l which becomes traverse motor while its return is through W5, 96, 94, 82h, |8 to the back pressure control valves.

correspondingly, reversal of the valve 8S from a feed right to a feed left position will interchange or reverse the couplings of the two motor conduits and i'i as respects the pressure in return lines 82 and 8d for effecting traverse in the opposite direction.

Likewise the shifting of valve Vi from a right hand position or feed down to a left hand or feed up position will reverse the bias or primary direction of rotation of the tracer controlled motor lot when the tracer valve and finger are in their negative position.

As the various controls `for determination of the manner direction of actuation of the spline shaft 2t are substantially the same as the controls for the screw 25, they have been identifled by correspon-:ling reference characters provided with exponents. These parts include the conduits ic and ia interconnecting the servotracer selecting valve it? and the serve-Controi valve bushing iia. Contained within-this bushing is the slidable servo-control valve 228e having the cannelures |2941 and lite respectively coupling pressure conduit i'a to conduit 424er on left hand movement of the valve and te i250 on right hand movement of the valve and alternatively coupling theopposite conduit to the general low pressure orreservoir conduit 53m. A suitable valve shifting means such as the bracket |32a connects this valve with the shifter' groove |33a of shaft 934e provided with the piiot wheel |3511. This shaft is journaled in the control box 35 as in anti-friction bearings lsa for limited axial movement and has a threaded portion iSla fitting into nut ia having the external gear portion |39@ meshing with gear Idee on shaft |4|a. Shaft I4 la is driven through beveled gears |420, |43a, the latter being secured on spline shaft 26 so that gear Ma rotates in timed rela'- tion to the rotation of the shaft. Shaft |4|a is further provided with a dial Idela for indicating the amount of adjustment or rotation of the Splined shaft and thus the movement of the vertical slide or ram I9.

As with the form previously described, rotation of hand wheel |35a in one direction or theother will cause a forward or back translation or axial movement of shaft |34 and through the bracket |32a impart a corresponding movement to the valve |28a, admitting actuating pressure in one direction or the other to the hydraulic motor |00 for yeffecting rotation of splined shaft 26. At the same time, the gearing |6311, ifi/2a, and |4011 willr effect a feed back rotation of nut |38a tending constantly to restore valve |23a to its neutral position. lin this manner most accurate servo-control adjustments may be imparted to the variably movable ram by the slight effort required to rotate hand wheel |35a. This move-- ment, of course, may be continued until such time as the tracer linger is Ydeflected to cause introduction of actuating pressure by Way of conduits 12, |63, If into cylhider or chamber ISS moving valve IGT to the left. This movement of the valve disconnects pressure conduits |24a and |25a from motor conduits Ill and |12 and places these in communication with the tracer controlled conduits |65 and I'f. vvl/'ith this valve positioning the servo is then rendered ineffective and the motor placed under direct tracer control. This, of course, does not interrupt rotation of shaft |4|a and dial |44a which continue to move in accordance with rotation of spline shaft 2t and thus to indicate the amount of any additional adjustment imparted to the tool carrying rain. To .prevent jamming of the servo-mechanism or the like under this situation of continued rotation of the nut |38a, it is provided with a centralizing spring device of the type shown at U16-|46 in Figure 4 cooperating with the yoke or clevice |45a secured on the shaft Ita for rotation therewith. This spring carries the parts around as a unit so that there is no axial displacement of the shaft |346; and consequently the servo-valve is maintained in its neutral position;

It will further be apparent that the mechanical drive 45a is available through gearing 44a to effect operation of the spline shaft at a rate and direction determined by the mechanical drive control levers 24 of the machine when clutched to the spline shaft by upward movement of the double face clutch Ma. However, when hydraulic power is being employed the pressure in I [9a from either line |08h or |23a reacts through line `||9a in chamber 5| a to move the shifter plunger 48a downwardly as viewed in Figure 3 so that the driving connection is to the gearing 43a operated by hydraulic motor |00.

From the foregoing it will be evident that there has been provided by the present invention an improved control mechanism capable of lapplication to and utilization in connection with existing machine tools in that by the employment of an additive control box or control boxes, individual hydraulically actuable motors and coupling control devices, the normal operating instrumentalities for a plurality of slides or movable parts may be placed under hydraulic control. It will further be noted that the construction of the mechanism is such that a single tracer unit may be utilized for determining the effective operation of the several controls in a manner to determine the'respective rates of movement imparted to the hydraulic slides so that the tool and Work will be relatively traversed and in a path corresponding to the contour or outline of the template or pattern engageable by the tracer. Also, the arrangement of parts is suchv that the tracer and its associate circuits and control mechanisms provides a multiple safety device, first positively disconnecting the mechanical drive when either tracer or servo-hydraulic power operation is selected, and, additionally, automatically disconnecting all except automatic tracer control for the in and out slide when the tracer is ,deflected by engagement with the pattern Yor other object. Additionally, the arrangement is such that selection may be made primarily as to which slide will be unidirectionally operated and which slide will be given reversible or back and forth movement during tracer controlled operation, in which the basic direction oftracer controlled forward movement may be individually selected as respects each of the controlled slides, which selecting mechanism may also be utilized for direct non-tracer or servocontrolled hydraulic movement of the slides in either direction and at either feed or rapid traverse rates.

Additionally, various safety control mechansms and circuits, Vbasically actuable or energizable by deflection of the tracer contact linger erse circuit in accordance with the established" pressure conditions andfor stopping thev power drive either hydraulic, mechanical, or both Aon pronounced tracer finger deiiection. It will, therefore, be further evident that a machine having a pair of slides or elements moving in crossing or angularly related paths and therefore particularly adapted to the formation of profile contour and like surfacesA and which embodies improvements of the present invention may have v the said movable elements individually mechanically operated or shifted, individually hydraulically controlled by direct application of ypower for either feed or rapid traverse movements, may be servo-controlled for fine adjustments or feeding operations or may be automatically tracer controlled as to therelative rate and direction of movement of the respective elements. The complete embodiment as illustrated'has the capacity forindividual 'selection of the various manner and nature of operations as respects the individual movable element, and, in addition, the' of the mov-able elements or slides, together with various safety devices to prevent damageto tool or work during varied operating conditions.'

It is, of course, to be understood that while the complete embodiment as illustrated constitutes a highly organized mechanism and'comvbination and arrangement of cooperating, co-

lfunctioning parts for attaining the desired result, namely, the proper and accurate shaping of Aany complicated form of work piece, that according to operating conditions or more specific intended utilizations of the machine, portions or sub-combinations of the novel features as set forth in the appended claims may be individually utilized or employed and that such individual -structural features or sub-combinations of parts whether jointly or separately employed constitute Y distinctive features of the present invention.

What is claimed is: l. A control mechanism for ya machine tool having a pair of elements' mounted for movement in angularly related paths, said mechanism including a hydraulic driving motor individual to each of said elements, a source-*of* hydraulic v actuating medium, conduit means' for supplying hydraulic Vactuating medium tok each of said motors, each of said motors having a hydraulic conduit connected to each side thereof for conducting hydraulic actuating medium to or from the motor, a, tracer, a tracer operable valve 'intervening the supply sourcer and the conduits to one of the motors having a resistance varying portion whereby variable positionings-of the valve will determine the press-ure -and flow conditions in the conduits leading to and from said motor,v a pair of throttling valves serially interposed in one of the conduits of the fotherfmotor, each lof saidvalves having a piston portion, a first conduit extending from one of the tracer controlled conduits`A to the piston of one valve, asecond conduit v'extending from, the

other tracer controlled conduit to the other valve whereby pressure conditions in the conduits will react on the valves for movement of the pistons to determine the position of the respective throttling portions thereof, and means for urging the Vvalves in the opposite direction to resist' theV reaction of' the pressure against said piston portions, said, means including auxiliary pistons, and conduits connectingthe auxiliary pistons with the supply conduit input of the second motor.

2. A control mechanism for a machine tooll having a pair of elements mounted for movement in angularly related paths, said mechanism including a hydraulic driving motor individual to each of said elements, a source of hydraulic actuating medium, conduit means for supplying hydraulic actuating medium to each of said motors, each of sai-d motors having a hydraulic conduit connected to each side thereof for conducting hydraulic actuating medium to or from the motor, a tracer, a tracer operable valve intervening the supply source and the conduits to one of the motors having a resistance varying portion whereby variable positionings of the valve will determine the pressure and flow conditions in the conduits leading to and from said motor, a pair of throttling valves serially interposed in one of the conduits of the other motor, each of said valves having a piston portion, a first conduit extending from one of the tracer controlled conduits to the piston of one valve, a second conduit extending from the other tracer controlled conduit to the other valve whereby pressure conditions in the conduitswill react on the valves for movement of the pistons to determine the position of the respective throttling portions thereof, means for urging the valves in the opposite direction to resist the reaction of the pressure against said piston portions, said means including auxiliary pistons, and conduits connecting the auxiliary pistons with the supply conduit input of the second motor, said tracer valve having a throttle'portion for varying the input to thersecond motor in accordance with variable positionings of the tracer valve.

3. A control mechanism fora machine tool having a pair of elements mounted for movement in angularly related paths, said mechanism including a hydraulic driving motor individual to each. of said elements, a source of hydraulicactuating medium, conduit means for Isupplying hydraulic actuating medium to each of said motors, each of sai-d motors having a 1 hydraulic conduit connected to each side there- Y of for conductingl hydraulic actuating medium to or from the motor, a tracer, a tracer operable valve intervening the supply source' and lthe conduits to one of the motors having a reconduits will react on the valves for movement resist the 19 of the pistons to determine the position f the respective throttling portions thereof, means for urging the valves/in the opposite direction to reaction of the pressure against said piston portions, said means including auxiliary pistons, conduits connecting the auxiliary pistons With the supply conduit input of the second motor, said tracer valve having a throttle portion for varying the input to the second motor in accordance with variable positionings of the tracer valve, a selector valve intervening the conduits of the respective motors and the tracer valve, said selector valve having portings effective in one position to couple the pair of m0.- tor conduits with the resistance varying portion of the tracer operable valve and the throttling portion of the tracer valve and the throttled return conduit with the other motor and having portings eiective in a different position of the selector valve for inversely connecting the tracer controlled and throttled conduits with the respective motors whereby either motor may be selectively placed under directional control of the tracer valve and the other motor simultaneously placed under control of the return line throttling valves.

4. A control mechanism for a machine tool having a pair of Aelements mounted for movement in angularly related paths, said mechanism including a hydraulic driving motor individual to each of said elements, a source of hydraulic actuating medium, r,conduit means for supplying hydraulic actuating medium to each vof said motors, each of said motors having a hydraulic conduit connected to .each side thereof for conducting hydraulic actuating medium .to or from the motor, a tracer, a tracer operable valve intervening the supply source and the conduits to one of the motors having a resistance varyingportion whereby variable positionings of the valve will determine the pressure and nowconditions in the conduits leading to and from said motor; a pair of throttling Valves serially interposedin one ,ofthe conduits of the other motor, eachrof said valves having a piston por-tion, a first conduit extending from one ofthe tracer controlled conduits to the piston `of v onevalve, a second conduit extending from the Vother tracer controlled conduit to the other valve whereby pressure ,conditions in the conduits will react on the valves for movement of the pistons to determine the position of the respective throttling portions thereof, Vmeans for urging the valves in the opposite direction to resist the reaction of the pressure against said piston portions, said means including vauxiliary pistons, conduits connecting the auxiliary pistons with the "Supply conduit input of -the second motor, said tracer valve having a throttle portion -ior varying thefinput to the second motorfn accordance .with variable positionings of 'the tracer valve, aselector valve intervening the conduits vo the respective motors ,and Ythe tracer valve. said selector valve having portings efectve in one position to couple the pair of motor conduits `with the resistance varying port-ion of thet-racer `operable valve andthe throttling portion of the tracer valve .and thegthrottled return conduit with .the other motorand-xhaving portings effective in a diierent position of the selecto-r valve for inversely vconnecting the tracer controlled and throttled rvconduits with the respective y motors whereby either motor may be selectively placed .under directional control of the tracer valve and the other-motor simultaneously placed under control of the return line throttling valves, aicom- 20 bine@ directions@ rapid traverse valve iniolvorif4 ingthe selector lvalvefaiid oneof the moors, and movable ltoselect feed loi' frapid .traverse rates, hydraulicallyY operable means for preventing movement of said valve into loiidtl'avorse s ing position, and 'a .c ontro,l vcehclu. it couplel'with one of the tracer.I controlled conduits VandY With `said hydraulically operable means' for .determine ing the position of .said rapid' traverse con rol means in accordance with tracer determined pressure conditions in said conduit.

,5. A control mechanism fol" o machine tool having a noir of elements ,mounted for movement in angularly related paths, said'meehanism in? cludinga hydraulic .driving motor indivi ual to each o'f said'eleinents, a source of hydraulic actu ating medium, conduit means for supplying'hydraulic actuating medium to each of said inotor, each or said motors having a hydraulic yconduit connected to eachv side 'thereof fonconducting hydraulic actuating liediu'm to or from the motor, a tracer, a tracerfme'raole valve intervening the supply source v and/', tloe yconduits to one 'of the motors having a resistance varying portion v vi/here'- by variable positionings of tlielvalve will deter .mine the pressure and new .conditions in'theeonf.

duits leading to and from ysaid motor; a pair of throttling valves serially Vinter osed in .one of the conduits of the other met"k ch`Y of said valves having a piston portion, a"firs' conduit'S-Z'ld Ils from one of the tracer eontio'll'e'd conduits to the piston of one valve, Va second conduit .extending from the other tracer controlled conduittotlie other valve whereby ypress ure',conditions in the conduits will react 'on lthe valves for movement of the pistons te Vdetermine the position ofthe respective throttling portions thereo'vrneans for urging the valves rin ,the oppositedirection to res-ist the reaction of the pressure againstsaid piston portions, said means including auxiliary pistons, conduits connecting the auxiliarypistons with the supply conduit `input of the second motor, said tracer valve having a throttleportion v for varying the input to the second motorin accordance with variable DCstionings of theV tracer valve, a selector valve intervening the conduits of the respective motors .and the tracer valve, said selector valve havingportingS eiective jin one .position .to couple thepairof motor conduits with the resistance varying portion of the tracer operable valve and the throttling portion vof the tracer valve and the throttledreturn conduit with the other motor and having portings .eiective'in a different positionfof .the selector valve Igor inversely connecting the tracer controlled and throttled conduits with therespective Yrnotors ,whereby either motor may nbe selectively placed under directional controller the tracer valve and the other motor simultaneously placed under control of the return line throttling valves, and combined rate and direction valves individual to the respective hydraulic motors interveningy .the selector valve and therespective motors, each of said valves having potential rapid traverse'eiecting positions, hydraulic lock-out ineansvfor .preventing movement of the respective valves into rapid traverse positions and r a control conduit interconnecting one of thetracer valve Vcontrolled pressure conduits and said 'hydraulic lock-out means for actuating'said'means to prevent rapid traverse actuation .of either of .the valves von increase of effective pressure in the tracer oo ntrolled line due Ato .displacement of the tracer valve by the tracer.

y6- A Control mechanism for o machine tool motor, Aa tracer, a tracer operable valve intervening the supply source and the conduits to one ofv the motors having a resistance varying portion whereby variable positionings of the valve will determine the pressure and now conditions in the conduits leading to and from said motor, a pair of throttling valves serially interposed in one of .the conduits of the other motor,feach oi vsaidv valves having a piston portion," a rst conduit extending from one of the tracer controlled conduits to the piston of one valve, a second conduit extending from the other tracer controlled conduit to the other valve whereby pressure conditions in the conduits will react on the valves for movement of the pistons to determine the position of the respective throttling portions thereof, means for urging the valves in the opposite direction to resist the reaction of the pressure against lsaid piston-portions, said means including auxiliary pistons, conduits connecting theauxiliary pistons with the supply conduit input of the second motor, said tracer valve havingl a throttle portion for varying the input to the second motor in accordance with variable positioningsof the tracer valve, a selector valve intervening the conduits of the respective motors and the tracer valve, said selector valve having portings effective in one position to couple the pair oi-motor conduits with the resistance varying portion of the tracer operable valve and the throttling portion of the tracer valve and the throttled return conduit with the other motor and having portings eiective in a diiTerent position of the selector valve for inversely connecting 'the tracer controlled and throttled conduits with the respective motors whereby either motor may be selectively placed under directional control of the tracer valve andthe other motor simultaneously placed under control of thereturn line throttling valves, and a servo-circuit including a hydraulic servomechanism for independent actuation-of one of the hydraulic motors, a manually positionable selector valvev for alternatively coupling the servo-circuit or the tracer valve controlled circuit with the hydraulic motor for effecting its actuation, and hydraulic control means including va piston, and a conduit coupled with one of the tracer valve controlled conduits intermediate `the tracer and the tracer control selector valve and said piston whereby pressure in the conduit will react on the piston to move'or maintain the position. e g

7. A control mechanism for a machinetool having a pair of elements mounted for move'- ment in angularly related paths, said mechanism f manually adjustable valve in tracer Y control vincluding a hydraulicfdriving motor individual to each of saidlelements, a source of hydraulic actuating medium, conduit means for supplying hydraulic actuating medium to each of said motors, each of said motors having a hydraulic conduit connected to each side thereof for conducting hydraulic actuating medium to or from the motor, a tracer, atracer operable valve intervening the supply source and the conduits to one ofv the motors' having a resistance varying portion 22 whereby variable positionin'gs of the valve will determine the pressure and flow conditions in the conduits leading to and from said motor, a pair of throttling valves serially interposed in one of the conduits of the other motor, each of said valves having a piston portion, a iirst conduit extending from one of the tracer controlled conduits to the piston of one valve, a second con-y duit extending from'the other tracer controlled conduit to the other valve Vwhereby pressure conditions in the conduits will react on the valves for movement of the pistons to determine the position of the respective throttling portions thereof, means for urging the valves in the opposite direction to resist the reaction of the pressure against said piston portions, said means including auxiliary pistons, and conduits connecting the auxil iary pistons with the supply conduit input of the second motor, said tracer valve havinga throttle lic actuating medium for the motors, and a tracer control mechanism including 'a reciprocable valve, a movable tracer variably positionable to determine the position of the valve, conduit means coupling the source of hydraulic medium with the tracer valve for distribution of flow thereby, distribution conduits extending from the tracer fvalve to receive actuating hydraulic medium therefrom in accordance with the position of theV valve, control conduits coupled with one of said pressure distribution conduits, and limiting means for the rate and direction selecting valves of the respective motors coupled with and operable by introduction of pressure into said tracer controlled hydraulic control circuits.

9. Ina hydraulic control system for machine tool operation, the combination including a source of hydraulic actuating medium, of a driven part,` a hydraulic motor coupled vto drive said part, a rst tra-cer controlled circuit for effecting reversible operation of said motor, a second servo-controlled circuit alternatively employable for operation of said motor, a selector valve po sitionable alternatively to couple the tracer ciru cuit or the servo-controlled circuit with the motor, an independent rapid traverse circuit, a selector valve in the tracer circuit movable alternatively to couple the rapid traverse or the tracer vof actuating medium for said motors, a supply conduit extending from said source, a rate control valvefor determining the flow through the conduit'and thus the total volume of actuating medium available for actuation of the motors,

a-ctuatii'ig"pressurer conduits extending to the motors, a tracer valve intervening the rate valve and the motor supply conduits for determination of the proportional distribution and pressure of actuating medium as respects said motors, a delectable tracer operatively associated with said tracer valve for determination of the position thereof, means associated with the tracer valve ior determination of the back pressure in one In said motors, an independent valve for determining the back pressure in the other of said motors, said valve having an intermediate back pressure throttling portion and opposed piston portions isolated from said throttling portion, and control conduits coupling the actuating pressure conduits of the respective motors with the piston portions of the valve whereby tracer etlected variations in sai-d pressures will react on the throttle valve pistons to determine the throttling eii'ect of said valve. Y

l1. Operating mechanism for a machine tool including a pair of hydraulic motors and a source or actuating medium for said motors, a supply conduit extending from said source, ra rate control valve for determining the flow through the conduit and thus the total volume of actuating medium available for actuation of the motors, actuating pressure conduits extending to the motors, a tracer valve intervening the rate Valve and the motor supply conduits for determination of the proportional distribution and pressure of actuating medium as respects said motors, a deiiectable tracer operatively associated with said tracer valve for determination of the position thereof, means associated with the tracer valve for determination of the back pressure in one of said motors, an independent valve for determining the back pressure in the other of said motors, said valve hav-ing an intermediate baci; pressure throttling port-ion and opposed piston portions isolated from said throttling portion, control conduits coupling the actuating pressure conduits of the respective motors with the piston portions ci the valve whereby tracer effected variaticns in said pressures will react on the throttle valve pistons to determine the throttling effect of said valve, and additional pressure means reacting on the valve to supplement the eiect of pressure in positioning the Valve. Y

i2. Operating mechanism for a Ymachine tool including a pair of hydraulic motors andafsource of actuating medium for said motors, a supply conduit extending from said source, a rate control valve for determining the iiow through the conduit and thus the total volume ,of actuating medium available for actuation of the motors, actuating pressure conduits extending to the motors, a tracer Valve intervening the rate valve and the motor supplyconduits `for determination of the proportional distribution and pressure of actuating medium as respects said motors, a delectable tracer operatively associated :with said tracer valve for determination of the position there i, means associated with the tracer valve for determination ofthe back press-ure in one of said motors, an independent valve for determining tne bacia pressure' in the othery of said motors, said valve having an intermediate back pressure throttling portion and opposed piston portions isolated from said throttl'mg portion, control conduits coupling the actuating pressure conduits oi the respective motors with the piston portions of the valve whereby' tracer eiected variations in said pressures will react on the throttle Valve pistons to determine the 'throttling 'effect of said valve', and means forv dampening the effect 24 on the valve of hydraulic oscillations in the coli-` trol conduits.

13. Driving means for a machine tool slide including'a slide actuating member, a mechanical drive therefor, a hydraulic motor for actuation thereof, a selector clutch for determining the effectivecoupling alternatively of the mechanical drive, or said motor, a hydraulically actuable clutch shifter for moving the clutch into hydraulic motor coupling position, a source of hydraulic Vactuating medium, a servo-motor control coupled therewith, a pair of -conduits extending from said servo-motor control, a second pair of conduits extending from the hydraulic actuating motor, a selector valve having a first position for interconnection of the Vrespective conduits of the servo-motor control with the hydraulic motor and an additional portion for connecting the source of hydraulic medium direct with the clutch actuator for eective operative connection of the hydraulic motor with the actuable element, an alternatively employable tracer controlled circuit for 4actuation of the hydraulic motor, conduits coupling the tracer circuit with the selector valve,` the valve having an alternative position for disconnecting the servo-conduits and connecting the tracer controlled conduits to the actuating motor, an independent control circuit activated by movement of the tracer valve, connections between said control circuit and the servo-tracer selector valve ior moving the valve into tracer circuit connection position on activation of said control circuit by movement of the tracer, and a branch control circuit conduit ported to said selector valve and coupleable thereby with the ycontrol circuit for the selector clutch to maintain the clutch in hydraulic motor coupling positionwhen the selector valve is moved to tracer circuit coupling position as respects the motor.

14. A hydraulic actuating system for relatively movable parts of a machine tool including a pair of hydraulically actuable motors, a source of hydraulic actuating medium therefor, a tracer mechanism including a Vdefiectable tracer and a tracer valve actuable thereby, conduit means coupling the souce of hydraulic actuating medium with the tracer valve, additional conduit means extending from the tracer valve to the motors, said tracer valve having portions for variably interconnecting the actuating medium conduits with the respective motor input conduits varia-bly to throttle the supply-to the motors, a return conduit for one of the motors, a hydraulically operable throttle valve for determining the iiow through said return conduit, and conduit connections between the input lines `oi the respective motors and said Valve whereby the pressures in these lines will react on the valve to determine the eiective position thereof.

15. Driving mechanism for a machine tool including a driven element, a first power means for actuation thereof,a second hydraulically actuable power means including a hydraulic motor, a source of hydraulic medium for the motor, press ure conduits intervening the source and said motor, a drive selector for determining the coupling of the nrst power means or `the motor with the driven element, a manual control for positioning the drive selector, a hydraulicvcontrol for positioning the drive selector, a pair of alternatively available Vhydraulic power conduits selectively -coupleable with the hydraulic motor, selector valve means to couple one or the other of said pairs of hydraulic .power circuits with the hydraulic motor, and valve means operable by movesure conduit irrespective of the particular posi- 1 tioning of said valve.

16. Driving mechanism for a machine tool including a driven element, a first power means for actuation thereof, a second hydraulically actuable' power means including a hydraulic Vmotor, a source of hydraulic medium for the motor, pressure conduits intervening the source and said motor, a drive selector for determining` the couincluding a hydraulic driving motor individual pling of the first power means or the motor with v the driven element, a manual -control for positioning the drive selector, a hydraulic control for positioning the ldrive selector, a pair of alterna-l tively available hydraulic power conduits selectively coupleable with the hydraulic motor, selector valve means to couple one or the other of saidv pairs of hydraulic power circuits with the hydraulic motor, valve means operable by movement of the selector valve to couple the hydraulic control of the drive selector means with a pressure conduit irrespective of the particular positioning of said valve, and a tracer mechanism including a deflectable tracer and a tracer 'valve a-ctuable by deflections of the tracer, said valve having a portion for establishing a pressure condition in one of said pair of hydraulic power conduits to determine the pressure reaction'on the motor selector.

17. A hydraulic actuating system fora machine tool element including a tracer comprising a deflectible tracer element and a tracer valve shiftable by deections of the element, means for supplying hydraulic pressure actuating medium to said valve, a hydraulic motor, a pair of motor conduits interconnecting the motor and the valve whereby the valve reversibly controls the ilow lof' actuating fluid to and from the motor, a selector valve for determination of tracer control :or rapid traverse operation of the motor, means for supplying rapid traverse fluid by way of the selector valve to the motor, an activator forthe selector valve, a variably positionable stop for limiting.

the movement of the selector valve, a hydraulic actuator for the stop, and connections between one of the motor conduits` and said activator whereby pressure in said motor conduit will react on the activator to determine the position of said stop. l

18. An operating and control mechanism for determining the movement of two relatively shiftable machine tool elements including a tracer mechanism comprising a deflectible tracer and a tracer valve variably positionable by movements of thev delectible tracer, hydraulic motors .for actuation of said movable elements, arst tracer reversible hydraulic circuit completable by way of the tracer valve for actuation of one of the motors, a second traverse input circuit completable by way of the tracer for actuation of the other motor, a serially disposed selector valve for determination of the respective couplings of the actuating circuits with the motors, individual serially interposed direction determining means for each of the motor circuits, anA alternatively available servo-control mechanism including an actuating circuit and servo-valve for each of the motors, a serially arranged valve in each of the motor circuits for preselection of servo or tracer control as respects the individual motor, hydraulicv shifter means for'the yrespective valves and a control circuit interconnecting said hydraulic shifter means for the respective preselection valves and 26 the tra-cer valve whereby movement ofthe tracer valve into circuit completing position will .elect shifting of both selector valves to effect coupling of the respective motor circuits with the respective tracer controlled operating circuits.

19. A control mechanism for a machine tool having a pair of elements mounted for movement in angularly related paths, said mechanism to each of said elements, a source of hydraulic actuating medium under pressure, a pair of conduits coupled to one of said motors, a tracer valve mechanism intervening the hydraulic medium source and said conduits, said valve mechanism including'a deectable tracer and a tracer valve displaceable by the tracer to increase the pressure in one of said conduits relative to the other whereby said one conduit is eifective as a forward pressure input conduit for motor actuation, a forward pressure input conduit and a return pressure conduit for-the second motor, a'valve in said returnpressure conduit providing a throttle for the return pressure flow from the second motor, a pair of opposed pistons for determining the position of the throttle valve, and means for hydraulically connecting said pistons with the forward pressure conduits of the respective motors whereby the effective differential between the pressures in said forward pressure conduits will determine the effective position of said return llow throttling valve.

20. A control mechanism for a machine tool having a .pair of elements mounted for movement in angularly related paths, said mechanism including a hydraulic driving motor individual to each of said elements, a source of hydraulic actuating medium under pressure, a pair of conduits coupled to one of said motors, a tracer valve mechanism intervening the hydraulic Ymedium source and said conduits, said valve vsaid pistons with the forward pressure conduits of the respective motors whereby the effective diiferential between the pressures in said forward pressure -conduits will determine the effeci tive position of said return flow throtting valve,

the piston member connected with the tracer valve controlled forward pressure conduit having a greater area than the piston connected with the forward pressure conduit of the second motor whereby for equal pressures said piston member of larger area will dominate in determining the position of the throttle valve.

f ERWIN G. ROEHM.

' References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,998,939 Mittag Apr. 23, 1935 2,006,121 Thain June 25, 1935 2,025,748 Howe Dec. 31, 1935 2,120,196 Wright June 7, 1938 2,373,332 ONeill Apr.r 10, 1945 2,456 158 Tancred Dec. 14, 1948 

